How to ride

Are you new to riding buses and trains, or new to the area? No worries – we’ll answer your questions and get you where you need to go.

Our buses and trains give you a fast and reliable way to travel

Passengers with luggage board a train at Northgate Station.

Plan your trip

Looking for the best way to get around? Check out our trip planner. It's easy to use, and it will show you the best options for your trip.

Pay your fare

An ORCA card is the easiest way to pay. You can buy an ORCA card at a ticket machine, online, or at a retail location. And don’t forget to tap before you board! Sounder fares are distance-based, so make sure you tap off when you exit the station. No need to tap off a bus or Link ride.

An ORCA card is tapped against a card reader.

You can also download the Transit GO Ticket app from the App Store or Google Play. Just buy tickets ahead of time and activate your ticket before you board.

Need more options? Check out more ways to pay

More about fares  

Enjoy the ride

Getting where you’re going can be half the fun, if you follow a few simple rules. Don’t smoke, and please allow people with disabilities and senior citizens to use the designated priority seating. Check out rules for riding for more ways to improve everyone’s ride.

We're here to help

Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. If you have any questions or concerns, contact customer service or security at any time. 

Learn more about Sound Transit services

Link light rail is the best way to avoid traffic!

The 1 Line travels between Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Northgate, the University of Washington, downtown Seattle, southeast Seattle, SeaTac Airport, and Angle Lake seven days a week. Service to Federal Way opens Dec. 6, 2025. 1 Line trains run every 8, 10, or 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. Service is available from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays.

The 2 Line travels between South Bellevue and Downtown Redmond Station seven days a week. 2 Line trains run every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The T Line travels 1.6 miles from the Tacoma Dome to St. Joseph through downtown Tacoma, with twelve stops along the way. T Line trains run every 12 minutes most weekdays and Saturdays and every 24 minutes on Sundays. Service is available from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
 

Get where you want to go quickly on ST Express buses, with 28 routes for traveling between Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties. Your ORCA card will provide convenient transfers to Link, Sounder, and local buses.

During weekday rush hours, Sounder travels between Lakewood and Seattle every 20 minutes, and between Everett and Seattle every 30 minutes. Sounder also serves select weekend events, like Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners games.